Oct 2021
A newsletter of Zion Hill Baptist Church
THE LIU (pronounced LEE-UU)
Harvesting Good Health b) Sleep in a dark, quiet environment; c) Limit use of electronics before bed; and d) Avoid alcohol and large meals before bed. 2. Cope with Loss. Give yourself permission to grieve and recognize that how we grieve is unique to the individual. To cope with loss: a) Express your feelings, whether by talking to others or singing, journaling, writing a poem, etc.; b) Draw comfort from your faith and seek out support from family and friends; c) Preserve memories; and d) Seek out therapy or grief counseling. 3. Strengthen social connections. Social connections influence our wellbeing and
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eautiful fall foliage, fresh smells of apple cinnamon, and cooler temperatures awakened our senses to the coziness of autumn. This season of fall festivals, football tailgating, and pumpkin spiced coffee, is a good time for us to change habits and focus on harvesting good health. Amid this deadly COVID 19 pandemic and despite medical advancements, it’s eye opening to hear of healthcare systems operating in crisis mode and rationing out care. One might argue that rationing of healthcare is nothing new for minority, poor and disenfranchised communities; however, the admittance still causes us to pause.
Photo by Ian Kiragu
Doing what we can to optimize our health and take care of our bodies, both physically and psychologically, is crucial. Focusing on emotional wellness is one way to harvest good health. Emotional wellness is being aware of our emotions, processing our feelings and adapting to change and difficult moments in a positive healthy way. The National Institute of Health shares the following six strategies to help improve emotional health: 1. Get Quality Sleep. Sleep helps us to focus, have quicker reflexes and process more clearly. To improve sleep: a) Go to bed and wake up around the same time;
may even lengthen life. To strengthen: a) Volunteer; b) Spend time with others and actively build stronger relationships; c) Join groups focused on your favorite hobby; and d) Take a class to learn something new. 4. Be mindful. Being mindful is being completely aware of what is happening in the present. To be more mindful: a) Practice taking deep breaths; b) Slow down; c) Take time away from phone and computer; d) Walk, focus on nature; and e) Learn to meditate. 5. Reduce stress. Chronic stress can be harmful. Learn ways to boost your resilience to help cope. To limit stress:
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